Stay on the right side of the tracks with all the latest news from the world of trains, planes and automobiles.
Rail Plus: Last chance to win rail expert incentives
Rail Plus is reminding agents of their final chances to be part of the Rail Expert program to win free wine, tickets to the screening of Evita and a spot on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Scandinavia!
Agents who complete the module by Friday 5 Oct will have a chance to win a $15 Dan Murphy voucher, which is also redeemable at Woolworths.
Scoring a minimum of 400 points, agents will be in the running to win A-reserve tickets to see Evita on 21 October 2018, starring Tina Arena, at the Sydney Opera House where they will meet and greet the cast members while enjoying a welcome drink. Post-show drinks and canapés along with a program and CD/download of the Evita soundtrack are also included.
Finally, agents who score at least 500 points will have a chance to win a spot on the year-end famil to Scandinavia (24 Nov – 2 Dec 2018), where they will be visiting the Swedish Lapland to observe the Northern Lights, sleep in an ice hotel, go dog-sledding, ride snowmobiles and experience the winter life that’s cherished by locals. Agents will be selected based on their scores and sales performance on 31 October 2018.
Agents are reminded that Rail Expert is a training program aimed to better equip them will the necessary and latest information on train travel, where the reward system is based on scores, modules completed, the time-frame in which they are completed and sales performance.
To participate, agents need to create an account on Rail Expert or follow the guidelines on this enrolment guide. For assistance, email training@railplus.com.au.
VroomVroomVroom lands partnership with Melbourne Airport
Asia Pacific’s largest ground transport comparison site, VroomVroomVroom.com.au, has beaten local and international competitors to land a coveted partnership with Melbourne Airport.
VroomVroomVroom will power a new online car rental booking engine for Melbourne Airport, allowing visitors using the airport’s website to easily compare and book car rental in just minutes.
With more than 36 million passengers passing through its doors last year, the airport is expecting those numbers to nearly double over the next two decades with visitor numbers forecasted to hit almost 70 million by 2038.
Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Parking & Ground Access, Lorie Argus, said with that growth in mind, the airport is overhauling its e-commerce strategy in parallel with a planned upgrade of its terminals and facilities.
Save up to 20% Off Train Travel in Germany with Rail Plus this Winter!
Agents with clients travelling to Germany over the next few months can now pass on a generous 20% discount off 7-Day German Rail Passes and 10% off the 3-Day Passes to them. 2-Day Consecutive and Flexi Passes will also be available during this promotional period.
Prices start at AU$195 for the 2 Day pass, AU$232 for the 3-Day Pass and AU$293 for the 7-Day Pass.
Bookings must be made by 6 December 2018 and travel completed by 31 January 2019. Terms and conditions apply.
Explore The Other Side of The Tracks in India with APT
When considering a trip to India, it can be hard to look past the Taj Mahal, or Jaipur’s striking Palace of the Winds, but beyond the Golden Triangle lies a side to India that many travellers rarely get to experience. Gujarat is one of the least visited but also one of the most rewarding states in India, and APT’s 23-day Contrasts of India gives travellers the chance to get to the heart of this truly captivating region, from the vast salt flats of Kutch to the ancient fortified city of Patan. Aboard the deluxe Deccan Odyssey train, travellers will explore the most authentic parts of Gujarat, providing a window into a side of India that is far from the hustle and bustle of the Golden Triangle.
The Deccan Odyssey
Inspired by the imperial carriages used by the Maharajahs, touches of royalty can be seen in the smallest of details aboard the Deccan Odyssey. Each cabin is outfitted with its own private ensuite and a cosy interior design, while private butlers service each cabin daily. Complemented by a choice of two restaurant cars, travelling aboard this deluxe rail service makes for a truly memorable experience. Unpack once and discover the convenience of rail travel in India, the perfect escape from its congested roads and bustling airports.
Sasan Gir National Park
The forested hilly terrain, deep valleys and numerous rivers of Sasan Gir National Park make it the ideal habitat for a vast array of wildlife. A safari through its thick, undisturbed forests is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as Sasan Gir is the last remaining place where the Asiatic lion can be seen in the wild. Hunted near to extinction towards the end of the 19th century, only about a dozen Asiatic lions were left in India, causing them to be listed as critically endangered in early 2000. Thanks to the conservation efforts of the park, numbers have increased dramatically and it is now considered one of the most important protected areas in Asia. Its forests are also home to panther, jackal, sambar, crocodile, deer, wild pig, and over 300 species of resident birds.
Little Rann of Kutch
The vast Kutch region of Gujarat is often described as India’s “wild west” and its barren, salt-tinted land is a compelling example of nature at its harshest. A Jeep safari is the perfect way to explore its seemingly endless expanses of desolate landscape and the first drive into the terrain feels slightly surreal. Cracked earth unfolds in all directions as far as the eye can see and heat mirages dance along the horizon. Though it may appear to be uninhabited, the Little Rann is in fact home to extremely rare wildlife including the last remaining population of the chestnut-coloured Indian wild ass. Other species here include the desert fox, jackal, jungle cat and an array of birdlife.
Rani Ki Vav Stepwell, Patan
A masterpiece of subterranean architecture, Rani Ki Vav is the only stepwell in existence to be declared a World Heritage site. Located in Patan, it is one of the biggest stepwells in Gujarat and is renowned for its exquisite detail and 1,500 intricate sculptures, all which hold important religious and mythological significance. Lost under layers of sand for hundreds of years after it was initially constructed in the 11th century, the stepwell was excavated by archaeologists in 1980, where it was discovered to be in near pristine condition.
APT’s 23-day Contrasts of India takes travellers to all of these fascinating destinations plus many more, with prices starting at $25,895 per person twin share.
